Life Journal March 15, 2008
Today's readings: Deuteronomy 28, 29; Galatians 6

Have I Been Transformed?

Scripture

It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

Galatians 6.15

Observation

Being a believer is not about following the law--it is about becoming like Christ.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

Many "Christian" people like having rules to follow--laws, so to speak. It really doesn't require a heart change--just a head change. They have no love in them.

But, being a follower of Jesus Christ requires a heart change--which then transforms us from the inside out. Over and over Jesus tells us what the greatest commandment is--to LOVE the Lord our God with ALL our heart, all our mind, and all our strength. AND to LOVE our neighbor as ourself. What transforms us is loving as Jesus does. . . . not keeping some set of rules/laws. If we LOVE as we are commanded--we will be the person God has called us to be.

Today, I want to continue in the transformation process into being the new creation God has called me to be!

Prayer

Lord God, continue to work in me and through me. Continue to do the transformational work that You have begun in me so I can walk in Your ways. . . .being daily transformed into a new creation . . . into Your creation. Thank You Father.

Life Journal March 14, 2008
Today's readings: Deuteronomy 25-27; Galatians 5

True Freedom

Scripture

So Christ has truly set us free. . . . For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Galatians 5.1, 13-15

Observation

Because of Christ we are free to serve and love one another.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

Freedom. Something we often take for granted in the United States. Many others around the world do not live in countries that gives them any freedom. Yet many of them enjoy more freedom than we can imagine--because they have truly found freedom in Christ! Wow!!

This week I have witnessed "mature Christians" misuse their freedom. They believe that freedom means to be served--not to serve out of love for one another. They have desired to control situations--counting only their own freedom as important . . . . what they deem as important and desirable. But, instead of being free--they lock themselves in their own box . . . . unhappy, miserable, and angry.

True freedom comes when we serve one another in love. That requires dying to ourselves--putting others first--loving others enough to serve them. True freedom comes when we take responsibility for our own lives--our own spiritual growth--how we live our lives in the service of our King . . . . giving our lives for our King.

Today may I live a life filled with Christ's freedom . . . . and love.

Prayer

My King, today I have freedom because of the battle that You fought on my behalf. I give my life to You--it is Yours. Use it as You will. May I be found faithful in serving You my Savior, my King.

Life Journal March 12, 2008
Today's readings: Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3

Children of God

Scripture

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3.26-28

Observation

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we all become God's children--brothers and sisters. God sees us all the very same.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

How different the world would be--how different our churches would be--if we incorporated these words into our hearts. We wouldn't see people through our own eyes--but through God's. We would see the beauty in each one. We would appreciate the gift of each one.

How sad it must make God when I judge my brothers and sisters in Christ and treat some as second class citizens. If we have truly "put on" Christ then we should act like it. No more nit-picking. No more judgment.

Think how different the world would be if, instead of trying to trip one another up so we can look better--or feel better about ourselves, we walked arm in arm--loving and supporting one another. It would be much harder for our brothers and sisters to fall if we took better care of one another.

Today, may I hold these words close to my heart. May I look at my brothers and sisters through God's eyes--seeing them as God does. May I hold them up, support them, encourage them--making them stronger.......making me stronger in Him.

Prayer

Lord God, how quick we are to judge one another. How quick we are to be critical of one another. How quick we are to look down on one another. May I see my brothers and sisters as You do today. May I love them with Your heart. May I be an encourager today. May I be a support today. May I live as someone who is truly "clothed in Christ."

Life Journal March 11, 2008
Today's readings: Deuteronomy 16-18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Trusting in Christ

Scripture
For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law--Istopped trying to meet all its requirements--so that I might live for God.My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live,but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in theSon of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the graceof God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right withGod, then there was no need for Christ to die.

Galatians 2.19-21

Observation
We are not called to live by the old law--but live in Christ.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)
Boundaries are not bad. They help us to know where we need to be.

Sometimes we like the old laws--they put us in control--we decide if we are going to follow them--we can keep tabs on others by whether they liveby them or not. They tell us how to dress, what to eat, what punishment people deserve if they break one of the laws. We decide which ones we think are worthy of keeping and which ones aren't. We decide who is guiltyand who isn't.

It gives us power--it gives us control.

But Jesus came and turned things upside down. He told us that we had two commandments to follow: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, withall your mind, and with all your strength and to love our neighbor asourself. Jesus told us that ALL the laws were wrapped up in these two commandments. That if we lived these two out--then we would be doing what the law says.The problem with these two commandments is that they aren't as black and white as the law. They don't spell things out as clearly. What does itlook like to love God that way? What does it look like to love ourneighbor as ourselves? It can look very different for each one of us. ..so how are we to know if everyone else is doing what they should?

The only person we can be concerned about is ourselves. Have I died to myself? Can others see that Christ lives in me? Does grace reign in my life? Do I extend God's grace to others? God's Word tells us we cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve the law and live by God's gift of grace.Today may I live out God's Word: It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

May it be evident to all--but most of all to my God.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, once again I give myself to You. Once again I die tomyself so Christ can live in me. Help me to see others through Your eyes and not judge them by my standards. May I extend grace rather than judgment. May I extend love instead of laws. Live in me, reign in me, rulemy life. May I never take for granted the work that Christ did for me on the cross.

Life Journal March 10, 2008
Today's readings: Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1

God Pleaser

Scripture

Obviously, I am not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.

Galatians 1.10

Observation

If we want to serve God, we must serve Him--not people.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

Sounds easy enough--but it is often anything but easy.

I like to be liked--I like folks to get along. Those that I serve often seem to believe that my first responsibility is to please them--to do things their way. They are right here in my face--crying out for attention and to do things their way. If you don't there is a price to pay. While God's still small voice is not near as threatening.

We expect others to please us--to make us happy--to fulfill our needs. We put pleasing ourselves before pleasing God. What do I like?! What makes me happy?! How do I think things need to be done?! But, it's not about me.

My first concern--no matter the cost--needs to be pleasing God, not people.There is often a cost to it, but the things of earth are here today and gone tomorrow. The things of God are for eternity.

Today, may I be found pleasing God--putting Him first--rather than worried about pleasing people.

Prayer

Lord, help me please You! Help me to hear and follow Your voice--no matter the cost. Give me the strength I need to stand for You. Give me the wisdom to speak up when I should. May my heart be God-centered and not self-centered. Help me to stay strong and focused on You!

Life Journal March 4, 2008
Today's readings: Numbers 34-36; Mark 11

Faith Enough

Scripture

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. I assure you that you can say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and your command will be obeyed. All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

Mark 11.22-26

Observation

With faith anything is possible--for it changes us.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I just read?)

It just hit me--this isn't about moving mountains as much as it is about having the kind of faith that can. It's not about making a list of things we want and asking God to fill it--it's about having the kind of faith where our desires match His--so our requests are not our list but His.

If we have the kind of faith that Jesus is talking about here--it changes us--which in turn changes everything else in our lives.

It's about having faith enough to leave everything in God's hands--and seeing His answers to prayer as ours. Our prayers are shaped by Him.

If we "really believe and do not doubt in our heart" then our hearts have become one with His and our faith is so focused on Him that His will and ours becomes one and the same.

When we don't see our prayers answered--we often feel like we have not had enough faith and/or must have allowed some doubt to come into our hearts. . . .and we get side-tracked by our guilt and our "if only's". If only I would have had more faith. If only I hadn't doubted. But, that's not really it. . . .not really.

How much is faith enough? I'm not sure . . . but I am on a journey to learn and grow into it!

Prayer

Father God, this is some hard Scripture. It sounds simple enough--but it's not. If I don't see prayers answered--my way--then I think that my faith isn't strong enough or I must have doubted in my heart. How much faith is enough? How do I get rid of the doubt in my heart? Lord, help me.. . . change me. Thanks for letting me wrestle with this. I know You are growing me. . . . I feel the growing pains. Thank you for not letting me remain the same.

Life Journal March 3, 2008
Today's Readings: Numbers 32, 33; Mark 10

Serving Others

Scripture

So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever want to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10.42-45

Observation

Jesus not only talked about being a servant--He lived it out.

Application

Once again a great example of how Jesus turns our world upside down. The world would tell us that we deserve to be served. That "making it" means having more people to serve you in one way or another. All of us like to be served--to be catered to. We want our needs met. We want people to do things our way. We want our desires met. We want the world to revolve around us.

This is not an easy lesson--it makes me ask myself the question, Am I serving others--or expecting them to serve me? Do I serve God--or do I expect Him to serve me? Because, bottom line is that when I ask God to bless my ways and don't worry about His ways (especially if they are harder or not as comfortable or demand more of me than I am willing to give) I am expecting Him to serve me.

Jesus came to serve others--He demonstrated it all the time for us. He poured His very life out for us--calling us to do the same.

How will I be different today because of what I have just read? Hmmmmmm. . . . I will look for every opportunity to serve others in Jesus' name. I will seek His will and way for my life--not my own. I will serve Him without counting the cost or looking for what's in it for me.

Prayer

Father God, this is so hard to do--we want to be served--not serve. And those You call us to serve are not always those we want to serve. Lord, I want to grow and become more and more like Your Son, Jesus. I want to be the servant leader You have called me to be. I want to follow the path You have laid before me. I want to let go of all that I hold so tightly so I can hold on to You and Your ways even more. But Lord, I know I can't do this on my own. I need You to come, Lord Jesus, into my life and fill me and guide me and continue to grow me, even when it's hard. Thank You for loving me too much to leave me the same. I love You. . . . . thank You for loving me first.